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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump issued a statement as massive Winter Storm Fern moved across the country, threatening snow, sleet, ice, frigid temperatures and widespread power outages for roughly half the U.S. population.
Trump posted on Truth Social, "I have been briefed on the Record Cold Wave and Historic Winter Storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend. The Trump Administration is coordinating with State and Local Officials. FEMA is fully prepared to respond. Stay Safe and Stay Warm! President DJT"
Forecasters warned that damage from ice accumulation — particularly in the South — could be catastrophic, rivaling the effects of a hurricane in some areas. The storm was expected to disrupt travel, close schools and businesses, strain power systems and create hazardous conditions well into next week.
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By Friday afternoon, at least 182 million people were under winter storm or ice warnings, while more than 210 million were covered by cold weather advisories or warnings. In many regions, the alerts overlapped, increasing the risk of prolonged disruptions.
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Ice and sleet snarl travel and shut down events
Freezing rain slickened roads in parts of west Texas on Friday, including Lubbock, as temperatures dropped. Airlines canceled thousands of flights nationwide, with more than 1,000 delays or cancellations reported Friday and about 2,300 flights already scrapped for Saturday, according to FlightAware. More than half of those disruptions were centered around Dallas-area airports.
Schools across Chicago and other Midwestern cities canceled classes Friday. In the South, churches announced they would move Sunday services online, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville said its Saturday night radio show would proceed without a live audience, and Carnival parades in Louisiana were canceled or rescheduled.
“It’s going to be a big storm,” said Maricela Resendiz as she stocked up on food at a Dallas grocery store. “Staying in, just being out of the way,” she said of her weekend plans with her family.
Arctic air sets stage for dangerous cold
The storm’s first punch came in the form of Arctic air plunging south from Canada, driving wind chills to life-threatening levels across the Plains and Midwest. In parts of the region, wind chills dropped to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, making frostbite possible in as little as 10 minutes.
In Bismarck, North Dakota, where wind chills hit minus 41, Colin Cross bundled up in layers to prepare an empty apartment unit for new tenants.
“I’ve been here awhile and my brain stopped working,” Cross said, describing the numbing cold despite heavy winter gear.
Despite the extreme weather, thousands of people gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Friday for a planned protest against an immigration crackdown.
Utilities brace for outages as ice threatens power lines
Utility companies across the storm’s path prepared for widespread power outages, particularly in ice-prone areas where frozen rain can coat trees and power lines with hundreds of pounds of added weight. Even after precipitation ends, falling branches and lines can continue to knock out power for days.
In at least 11 Southern states, from Texas to Virginia, most homes rely on electricity for heating, according to U.S. Census Bureau data — a vulnerability highlighted by the deadly Texas power grid failure during a winter storm five years ago.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that state officials are better prepared this time, with utility companies bringing in thousands of additional workers. “This won’t happen again,” Abbott said, referring to the 2021 blackout.
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Pipes at risk as temperatures plunge
Beyond power outages, frozen pipes pose a major threat, particularly in the South, where homes are often not built to withstand extended freezing conditions.
In Atlanta, where temperatures were expected to fall to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit and remain below freezing for more than a day, plumbing companies braced for a surge in emergency calls.
“We’re out there soaking wet and freezing,” said Melissa Cary, co-owner of M. Cary & Daughters Plumbing. “I keep the hot chocolate and soup coming.”
Federal response ramps up ahead of storm
The federal government placed nearly 30 search and rescue teams on standby and pre-positioned emergency supplies, including more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In Oklahoma, transportation crews pretreated highways with salt brine, and the Highway Patrol canceled troopers’ days off to prepare for hazardous road conditions.
Northeast braces for heavy snowfall
As the storm shifts east, forecasters expect heavy snowfall across the Northeast, with about a foot possible from Washington, D.C., through New York City and Boston.
Boston declared a cold emergency through the weekend. Connecticut officials coordinated with New York and Massachusetts on possible travel restrictions along major highways, and Gov. Ned Lamont urged residents to stock up on groceries and stay home.
Philadelphia announced public schools would be closed Monday. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. encouraged students to stay safe — and enjoy the snow responsibly.
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Communities hunker down amid uncertainty
For people without stable housing, the storm poses especially severe risks. In Jackson, Mississippi, Stephen McDonald said he hoped to escape the cold, but a local homeless shelter remained closed while insulation and heaters were installed.
“Your hands get frozen solid, and they hurt real bad,” McDonald said.
At the University of Georgia in Athens, sophomore Eden England decided to remain on campus with friends despite warnings about potential power outages.
“Whether I’m here or at home, it’s going to suck either way,” she said. “I’d rather be with my friends, kind of struggling together.”
Forecasters warned the storm’s impacts could linger for days, urging residents across its path to prepare for extended cold, power outages and limited travel.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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